Aggregating multiple links between physical interfaces creates a single logical point-to-point trunk link or a LAG. The LAG balances traffic across the member links within an aggregated Ethernet bundle and effectively increases the uplink bandwidth. Switch aggregation, also known as link aggregation or trunking, is a method used in computer networking to combine (aggregate) multiple network connections in parallel. This arrangement increases throughput beyond what a single relationship could sustain, offers redundancy in case one of the links. An aggregation switch is a network device that consolidates traffic from multiple access switches, wireless access points, or other edge devices and forwards it to core switches or routers. It is essential for larger networks requiring efficient data flow. By design, it therefore provides resiliency because it will always be deployed in pairs of switches and comes with a recommendation to deploy only dual hot swappable power supplies and redundant fans in each switch to. IEEE 802.
[PDF Version]